Day #20 (2/19/14) – Guess the Animal
We boarded a plane to Australia and since our plane was late, we’re doing guess the animal today! This was one of the first animals we saw as we headed to our stop for the night! Check out the picture and read the clues. (We are looking for a specific species.)
Who is it?
–Ellie and Edmond
VISITING THE WHALES OF THE DEEP AT FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY!
We visited one of our most favorite places in Atlanta- Fernbank Museum of Natural History to check out the new exhibit Whales- Giants of the Deep! We’re giving you the top 10 reasons to go see this amazing exhibit!!
1. You can learn about the whale family! That is one big reunion!
2. You can see one of the first ancestors of whales! They walked on land by the way!
3.There are whales floating from the ceiling (another whale ancestor).
4. There are sharp teeth- really, really sharp!
5. Dolphins have monkey lips! Whaaaaaaa???
6. You can learn how whales eat! Who knew they scooped food off the bottom of the ocean!
7. You can ride the SS Fernbank!
8. You can touch a whale’s vertebrae!
9. You can see a REAL Sperm Whale Skeleton and it is HUGE!!!
10. YOU CAN SEE A REAL SPERM WHALE SKELETON! IT IS AMAZING!!!!!!!
If you are in the Atlanta area make sure to put Fernbank’s new exhibit on your to do list! We only showed you a few of the many amazing things to discover in the super outstanding exhibit! There may even be a whale heart to climb…
HAPPY INTERNATIONAL HIPPO DAY!!
We’re celebrating one of our favorite mammals today! Come learn some fun facts about hippos and enjoy a hippo coloring sheet!!
Hippos are amazing creatures. We are partial to the pygmy because they are so cute! There are even hippos who surf in the ocean off the coast of Gabon! Pretty cool!
Day #18 (2/6/14) – Guess the Animal
We hopefully have fixed our technical difficulties that have plagued us this trip as we have missed two posts! We head to the plains of South America to find today’s guess the animal! This animal is one of our favorites! See if you know who it is!
Who is it?
–Ellie and Edmond
Day #17 (2/4/2014) Off to meet a bat…
After a day of technical difficulties at HQs, we made it out to today’s destination. Being world travelers can be full of many troubles and trials. We took to the E&E plane to South America to meet a little member of that flying mammal family- bats! We trekked through the rainforest to find some amazing bats with long noses. It was hot and humid during the walk, but we had such fun trying to spot the Proboscus bat.
Their range and habitat: Mexico-Central South America/ rainforest
Their length/weight: 1 ½-2”/ 1/8- 7/32 oz Their status: common
They are insectivores (insects)
We are sitting in camp for the night. It was so cool to find these little bats all line to line in the trees. We wanted to stay and watch them leave for the night, but we had to head back before dark. The rainforest is full of many predators at night.
-Ellieand Edmond
HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY!!!
It’s the day where groundhogs all around the United States predict the weather! This tradition goes back many years, so today I’m going to share some fun facts about these rodents!
Groundhogs are great little creatures! Who knew they were related to squirrels? Do you have a famous groundhog where you live? We hope you enjoyed this week’s lesson! Get out your crayons and pencils class and enjoy this groundhog coloring sheet! -Professor Tamandua!
Day #16 (1/31/2014) Year of the Horse- Przewalski’s Horse
We headed out of HQs after a few snowy days. We decided to head to DC and the National Zoo to meet this horse as there are only around 400 in the wild. We had a great time watching these beautys and learning about the last true wild horses on earth.
Their range and habitat: Mongolia (East Asia)/ grasslands
Their length/weight: 7 ½-8 ½ ft/ 440-600 lbs Their status: critically endangered
They are herbivores (grasses, scrubs)
Theses last wild relatives are so gorgeous! I really hope I am able to meet them in wild some day! Today zoos like the National Zoo are helping protect that population with research and breeding programs! We learned all about their efforts and they are amazing! Check them out here! Look for a special color your own me tomorrow!!
-Edmond
Day #14 (1/28/2014) Year of the Horse- Grevy’s Zebra…
We back up our trunk and left before snow came to HQs! Edmond was so excited he could hardly contain himself. The E&E plane headed to East Africa to find a large member of the Equid family; in fact it’s the largest member of the family! We had to pack our desert gear and loads of mud SPF 50! Edmond really wanted to don some stripes so he could blend in, but I talked him out of it.
Their range and habitat: East Africa/desert, grassland
Their length/weight: 8 ¼- 9 ¾ ft/ 700-900 lb Their status: endangered
They are herbivores (grasses, scrubs)
Grevy’s Zebras are the largest species of zebra.
They have white on their bellies, the base of their tales and on their rumps.
Grevy’s zebras have a distinctive black stripe down their back.
Male grevy’s zebras occupy a large territory- up to 4 square miles. This is the largest territory of any herbivore on earth.
Grevy’s zebra foals can stand up 6 minutes after birth.
We had such a wonderful afternoon watching the herd we found. Edmond wanted to go over and hang out with them, but I convinced him to let them be wild! The males were so amazing to watch as the marked their territory. Our guide told us that there are some great conservation groups working to increase the numbers of these amazing animals! Go Zebra’s Go!!
-Ellie
SQUIRREL APPRECIATION DAY!!
Who loves squirrels? We love squirrels!! These great little rodents are some of the best tree planters around! When squirrels stash their seeds and nuts for the winter, they often forget some and those seeds and nuts can grow into trees!
So if you love trees (and who doesn’t) then thank a squirrel! And enjoy our squirrel coloring sheet!
Day #9 (1/14/14) – Guess the Animal
We stayed in Brazil today. We wanted to find a small, adorable little primate! We were so excited to find a family of them bounding through the trees! Can you guess who it is?
Who is it?
–Ellie and Edmond
The Adventures of Ellie and Edmond 